theres a cowboy in all of us

Both suffer from the same inherent problem. The only real focal points are the brightest spots, then the darkest, but the saddle seems as though it should be the main point of interest.  The saddle blends so much with the fence that it doesn't attract any attention.  I really think that with some directional lighting you could take this idea and make it into something much better.  I would also suggest experimenting with the placement of the items.  Give them some way to relate to each other and drive the viewer's eyes around the image.  Create some interesting lines, overlaps, and shapes.  Find ways to effectively balance the image through the use of tones, color, and temperature.  For example, the saddle could appear very warm against a cool background by simply moving it away from the fence and adding some modeling light to it without adding any light to the background.

Still lifes are difficult because they tend to have a lot of information.  This is fine, but as artists we need to provide the information in a coherent and interesting way.  You're on the right track, I'm not trying to be mean.  I would, however, encourage you to go back and experiment with these items and your ideas until you get something that becomes more visually and conceptually interesting.

The image is technically good.  Good focus, good exposure.  Build on that.

Couple thoughts here. Please keep in mind it's just one persons opinion and an attempt to help you elevate future work; not bring down the current one.

The items, while all related, sit like they're all afraid of each other. Think of it like composing for a family portrait. If the family all sat that far apart from each other you would get the sense that they don't want to be any closer together; that there was something unsaid dividing them. It feels uncomfortable. Work everything so that it's touching or overlapping the other things you want to focus on. Show them as a happy family.

You don't need to see a whole saddle or boot to know what it is. If you constrain yourself to the idea that you have to see all of every piece you lose flexibility in composing the scene. You may not need a barn background at all to tell your story. The rich textures in that wood takes away from the textures in the items themselves and makes it too busy. For example, try filling most of the image with the saddle and add the other items as elements to go along with it. You may not need all of them to do it. A saddle and lariat alone screams cowboy. A good use of light will allow you to highlight the important components of the image. It's been said that an engineer has reached design perfection when there is nothing left to take away; not when there is nothing left to add. I think the same can be said of composition.

Honestly, it doesn't look like you really took enough time to work the idea. Time to move and re-arrange and really look at what you have. A still life is all about having the viewer discover what you saw in something. It may take a bit of time for you to discover what it is that you're seeing too. It's like knowing the prize is inside the box of Cracker Jacks, but you have to open the box and dig around inside to find out what the prize really is. People spend years working a theme to discover all they can see in it. A fellow photographer and friend of mine has a project that has spanned around 15 years now of photographing a single chair. The chair as a still life, a prop, a focus, an element of a bigger picture; you name it. It's an extreme version of working a theme and taking time to discover what it is you're seeing before you take the photograph.

Is it inside the barn?

Hi Torie,

What a fun project. I love Western themes!

The first thing I noticed was that your white balance was a bit on the blue side. I also think it could use a bit of a crop.

In the future, be careful what direction shoes are pointing, as they really direct the eye by the toes. In this photo, the toes are pointing out of the picture. Had you turned them the other way, it would have helped direct the eye around, like the example below.

I also think your sepia is a bit on the pink side, but that could be my laptop monitor. I've made one a bit more brown for your consideration.